The Nature Conservancy’s GLOBE (Growing Leaders on Behalf of the Environment) summer internship program hires undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent college graduates (2016, 2017, and 2018) to fill paid internship positions during a 10-week summer internship. Our mission is to provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academics and the real-world conservation work that contributes to the health and sustainability of our world. The GLOBE Program recruits individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who are interested in contributing to our conservation goals in various fields. The GLOBE Program offers a structured orientation, professional training, network opportunities, mentoring program, and real work experience.
The Nature Conservancy’s Minnesota Chapter would like two Grassland and Freshwater Restoration GLOBE interns for this project to work as a team and gain exposure to two major science and conservation initiatives within our chapter in both grassland freshwater ecosystems. The two projects are described below. Both interns would spend roughly half the summer working on each project. Interns may also spend the end of the summer and an additional two weeks on forest science field projects in northern Minnesota.
1. TNC is working with partners to determine broad changes in condition of native grasslands in response to grazing and fire. The project is a collaborative effort in which multiple agencies and organizations have overlapping goals (TNC, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, USFWS, etc.). Partners in this work are coordinating sampling to compare data and management practices across ownerships throughout the prairie region. With the assistance of the interns, TNC will revisit sites on which management has been implemented to measure the outcomes. The interns will fill a critical role in helping our chapter to close the adaptive management loop in our grassland conservation work.
2. TNC has committed to working with experts to create a technical guidance document for prairie stream systems in western South Dakota. This need was identified by conservation partners within SD who seek this resource to better assist producers and agencies in maintaining and improving range and riparian health. This technical stream guide would provide SD specific knowledge and resources that are currently unavailable to a wide variety of partners, agencies, and landowners. The two GLOBE interns would assist with the fieldwork necessary to accomplish this goal.

Qualifications

Strong field botanical skills and experience conducting field sampling are preferred, but training will be provided for all aspects of the position. Experience working in grasslands or other terrestrial ecosystems of the upper Midwest or Great Plains is a plus. The individual must be willing and able to travel to different properties within the work area. The most important qualification is enthusiasm for working outdoors and the desire to learn. The two Interns will coordinate closely together with the assistance TNC staff. After a training period, they will often be in the field during the day working independently from their direct supervisor, with staff around in the mornings and afternoons for questions and interaction. Therefore, they should be able to work and communicate well with others as well as independently.
For questions about the position, contact Marissa Ahlering, mahlering@tnc.org, but applications must be submitted online. To apply to position number 45850, submit resume and cover letter (both are required) separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 12, 2018. Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
Apply online here:
https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1